Synthesis and evaluation of indole-based chalcones as inducers of methuosis, a novel type of nonapoptotic cell death.

ABSTRACT: Methuosis is a novel caspase-independent form of cell death in which massive accumulation of vacuoles derived from macropinosomes ultimately causes cells to detach from the substratum and rupture. We recently described a chalcone-like compound, 3-(2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1-(4-pyridinyl)-2-propen-1-one (i.e., MIPP), which can induce methuosis in glioblastoma and other types of cancer cells. Herein, we describe the synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a directed library of related compounds, providing insights into the contributions of the two aryl ring systems and highlighting a potent derivative, 3-(5-methoxy, 2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1-(4-pyridinyl)-2-propen-1-one (i.e., MOMIPP) that can induce methuosis at low micromolar concentrations. We have also generated biologically act

SUBMITTER: Robinson MW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3314534 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature